It's proven to be one of the most infamous and heart breaking penalty misses in recent history - everybody remembers where they were when Gareth Southgate missed his spot kick against Germany in Euro 96.

The defender's miss knocked England out at the semi-final stage, crushing the Three Lions' hopes of securing a first tournament win for 30 years.

No matter what anyone said that night, it would be impossible to think anyone could have felt worse than poor old Gareth.

Gareth Southgate after his penalty miss (Image: Getty)

However, speaking on BBC Radio 5Live , Andy Townsend has revealed the former England and Aston Villa defender received consolation from the unlikeliest of sources.

"I was commentating when he missed his pen at Euro 96," said Townsend. "He was a teammate of mine at Villa. And after that game, having missed a pen like that, I was so gutted for him that I thought I would go down and find him.

The moment that broke English hearts (Image: Getty)

"As you can imagine, the players' lounge after that game wasn't a place where I had any invite anyway.

"His wife was there, and I don't think anyone really knew what to say. When he finally came in, I was only going to say, 'Look, better that you have missed them in that sort of situation, so don't worry about it, it's done'.

Liam Gallagher was first in to console Southgate (Image: Redferns)

"And as I went to say it Liam Gallagher appeared from nowhere. He says, 'Hey Gareth, don't *beep* worry about it because at least you had the *beep* to go up and take it. Them other *beep*, they didn't want to *beep* know'.

"He literally said that. And I said, 'Actually mate, in as many words, that was what I was going to tell you!'."